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SR Pharma plc Announces Encouraging Results for Atu027 RNAi Showing Therapeutic Efficacy in Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer |
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14 Sep 2006 |
Studies at the Charité Hospital, Berlin have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of Atu027 RNAi in animal models of pancreatic cancer. The data showed both inhibition of cancer growth and prevention of metastatic spread, demonstrating potent efficacy and effective delivery, with no adverse events.
LONDON, UK | Sep 13, 2006 | SR Pharma plc (London LSE: SPA) and its operating subsidiary Atugen AG announce that studies at the Charité Hospital, Berlin have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of Atu027 RNAi in animal models of pancreatic cancer. The data showed both inhibition of cancer growth and prevention of metastatic spread, demonstrating potent efficacy and effective delivery, with no adverse events. These promising data support the clinical development program for Atu027 RNAi for pancreatic cancer which is scheduled to enter human clinical trials in 2007. Atu027 RNAi is an exciting novel therapeutic drug being developed based on small interfering RNA.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death. With the exception of surgery in early stages, no curative treatment for this tumour exists. Until now, only Gemcitabine has been approved for palliative treatment. However, no convincing data on effective control of tumour growth exist for either Gemcitabine or any other drugs tested so far. Therefore, any drug showing inhibition of tumour growth or tumour shrinkage meets unmet medical needs.
Atugen has concentrated its efforts to meet this medical need by developing Atu027 RNAi. In these studies, mice with human pancreatic cancer were injected with Atu027 RNAi, a modified and stabilized small interfering RNA drug, formulated in a proprietary liposomal based delivery system (AtuPLEX). Atu027 RNAi works by specifically targeting PKN3, a proprietary protein kinase target.
Prof. Bertram Wiedenmann, Director Hepatology & Gastroenterology at the Charité, Berlin, under whose supervision the studies were guided, stated: “The results of these studies are very encouraging for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. The data achieved in these studies have shown significant inhibition of both cell proliferation and metastatic spread.”
Klaus Giese, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of SR Pharma, said: “These data are very encouraging and we are on track to enter the clinic with Atu027 RNAi in 2007. This product, to be delivered systemically, will be our first product into the clinic using AtuPLEX, our proprietary liposomal formulation”.
SOURCE: SR Pharma plc |
